Local man arrested after joy ride

A Peru man was arrested Wednesday night after leading police on a high-speed chase through the city.

According to a Peru Police Department press release, officers responded to a call concerning an intoxicated driver in the area of Sixth and Smith streets at approximately 8:09 p.m. Wednesday evening.

After a thorough search of the area, officers were able to locate a Silver Ford Ranger belonging to Jared Clemons, 33, Peru, who was traveling east on Fifth Street from Lee Street. Clemons was reportedly making many traffic violations including rolling through stop signs at Fifth and Ash streets and Ash and Main streets, according to the PPD release.

“Jared then passed an officer forcing the officer’s patrol car into a parking lane so the vehicles did not hit head on,” stated information from the PPD release.

Following behind Clemons, Officer Mooney activated his overhead emergency lights and siren as Clemons reportedly turned east on Paw Paw Pike increasing his speed until it was greater than the speed limit. Officers continued to give chase as Clemons failed to stop for their sirens and, at the intersection of Wabash Road and Paw Paw Pike, Indiana State Police deployed stop sticks in the road, said the PPD release.

“The vehicle struck the stop sticks which eventually deflated the front driver side tire,” according to a PPD release.

Clemons allegedly continued North on 300 East from Wabash Road where he finally came to a stop in the driveway of his residence. Clemons was then taken into custody where a family member alerted police officers that Clemons was a diabetic.

According to the release, officers called for an ambulance to evaluate Clemons, who checked out okay.

“Jared was then given a portable breath test where he tested more than 3 times over the legal limit,” said a PPD release.

Clemons was transported to Dukes Hospital due to his high alcohol level and was later released, when he was transported to the Miami County Jail.

Clemons was released from the Miami County Jail the following night on a $1,200 cash bond.

He’s facing charges of a level 6 felony for resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, A misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement, C misdemeanor for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and a B misdemeanor for reckless driving.